After successfully installing few electronic traffic signals on the National Highway from Mapusa to Panjim, the need now arises at the major junction at St Cruz on highway near Niyaz restaurant. Locals from St Cruz and Merces have made a demand to install electronic traffic signal as this junction has become a hub of accidents.
Domnic Sequeira, social activist from St Cruz, said that at least one accident is witnessed every day at the busy junction despite police being posted at peak hours.
The commuters from Merces, Chimbel are taking this route to reach Panjim via St Cruz to avoid the traffic congestion at KTC Panjim bus stand. Some of the commuters also take this route to avoid a fine for not wearing the helmet as traffic cops at near Hira petrol pump issue challans for traffic violators.
A large numbers of commuters are seen waiting in long queues any time of the day to cross the national highway to move to either side.
People who are proceeding to Panjim going through St Cruz, Taleigao from Merces side pass this junction during the busy hours of the day.
There is also a link between both the villages Merces and St Cruz. Some of the villagers prefer St Cruz market for the daily purchases as well as some students have also seen enrolled in schools. Thus the junction becomes very crucial for the residents of both Merces as well as St Cruz.
Naresh Salgaonkar, a Kalapur resident, said that the option to control the traffic at this junction is to install an electronic signal. He said that people follow electronic signals more seriously than the policemen or guards on duty.
Sarpanch of St Cruz Indira Fernandes also demanded that the electronic signal be installed on priority basis. Vehicles come in at a high speed as the road is straight right from the foot of Bambolim hill till the Merces junction.
“We have seen how the traffic is being smoothened in Porvorim and Guirim after the signal installation. St Cruz junction is very wide, it needs proper signal with speed breakers on both the sides,” Fernandes said.
Public Works Department deals with the installation of the traffic signal whereas Traffic Department of Goa Police proposes the signal based on their study.
Deputy Superintendent of Police (Traffic) Dharmesh Angle said that department has proposed 53 signals all over Goa and this St Cruz junction is one among 53.
“The file is presently with the government waiting for the approval,” he said.
